2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor: Jawbone Canyon

September 07, 2010

We decided to make Jawbone Canyon OHV area the first detour of the trip. For those unaware, Jawbone is an expanse of desert maintained by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) for recreational use and located off Highway 14. It offers trails for hiking, dirt bikes, 4x4s and general dusty fun.

But before we even reached the highway turnoff we saw this guy. Take the jump.

Yep, somewhere mid-Lancaster we passed this truck. He was struggling with 55 mph so wasted only enough time for this picture before passing him.

Back in Jawbone (formally Cantil, CA) we had some fun. Slow speed over the washboards quickly reminds the jiggling body that its time to renew the gym membership. But pick up a little speed and the ride levels out, almost floating across the ruts. It's easy to see somebody growing over-confident in this situation and getting into trouble.

Before too long we were back on 14. Just up the highway curiosity jerked the wheel into Robber's Roost, a small general store and home of the frog balls.

We stood in the empty store for a good minute before a wrinkled, ephedrine-Santa character appeared. We asked the obvious, "What are frog balls?" He took a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled, "Pickled brussel sprouts." After an eery moment of silence and a second pull from his Marlboro he added, "Ten bucks."

We bought a jar and wasted no time getting out of there. That was far too creepy for the middle of the day. Further up the road was Red Rock Canyon and the obligatory picture because, well, it's just too pretty not to.